Microsoft Corp. has passed on funding the makers of a popular custom firmware for Android called CyanogenMod, but could be readying a deal to have its apps like Bing and Cortana appear on it by default, a new report claims. Photo: Cyanogen Inc.

Many users prefer custom ROMs like CyanogenMod because they strip away the user interfaces added by device manufacturers and add other exclusive features, which one wouldn’t find on stock Android or OEM firmware.

With CyanogenMod 14, the OnePlus 3 will receive such custom features as status bar clock customizations, brightness control from the status bar, a notification counter, double-tap to sleep and a quick pulldown for settings.

As always, users should exercise caution when installing custom firmware onto their devices, keeping in mind that their warranties may be voided. Backing up your device is recommended. Devices must be rooted in order to install such custom firmware.

The team also recently announced that “nightly” builds of CyanogenMod 14 will soon be available for a number of smartphones. Check out the list below.

Nexus 6P (angler)

Nexus 5X (bullhead)

Xiaomi Mi3w/Mi4 (cancro)

LG G3 (d855)

Moto G variants (falcon/peregrine/thea/titan)

LG G4 h811/h815)

OnePlus 3 (klte/kltedv/kltespr/klteusc/kltevzw)

Zenphone 2 (Z00L/Z00T)

CyanogenMod’s nightly builds are frequently updated versions of the firmware, which include all of the latest updates intended for the ROM, but are highly unstable and often filled with bugs. Many who are tech savvy like to play around with these versions to help pinpoint bugs and issues for Cyanogen to fix in more stable builds.

As the team develops CyanogenMod 14, it will release “monthly snapshot” builds, which roll out every few weeks with various fixes. Once enough bugs are resolved, Cyanogen will release a stable build of CyanogenMod 14.

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